Anthony DeSclafani RHP came within one out of his third CG of the season and the Giants cruised to a win to take the 4 game series from the D'Backs. Game Notes:
As he has done throughout most of the season, DeSclafani kept his pitch count down and took it deep into the game. He ended up throwing 107 pitches in 8.2 IP. A 2-out RBI single by Christian Walker 1B which narrowed the margin to 3 runs brought the hook with Tyler Rogers RHP getting the final out and his 10'th Save of the season.
Austin Slater CF/LF went 2 for 3 with a HR(9) at the top of the order against Caleb Smith LHP to build on his breakthrough HR from the night before.
Darin Ruf 1B also had a big game with a 2B and HR(7) to drive in 3 runs.
Buster Posey C took a foul tip off his left thumb and had to come out. X-rays are reportedly negative for fracture and it's being called a contusion which is essentially a bruise. Hopefully it's not also a sprain which would take longer to heal. He won't start today, but Kap seemed to think he might be available if necessary. I say make sure that bad boy is not going to be a lingering problem. It's not too late to be still playing the long game here.
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The Win kept the Giants 0.5 games ahead of the Dodgers who won their 9'th in a row in the NL West and 4.5 games ahead of the Padres who also won big in Philly. The Giants also maintained the best record in MLB. I still have my doubts about the Giants hanging with the Dodgers through the second half but the pennant race we're seeing right now is a breathtaking. The two teams with the best record in MLB battling it out every day with both refusing to lose.
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The Giants come home to face the Cardinals in a mid-afternoon start with Kevin Gausman RHP facing Kwang Kim LHP.
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Down on the Farm:
AAA:
Bryce Johnson CF- 2 for 5, 2 BB, 2 SB(13). BA= .283.
Arismendy Alcantara SS- 2 for 6, 2 HR(8). BA= .315.
Jason Vosler DH- 3 for 5, 2B, BB. BA= .278.
Game was played in Las Vegas and the final score was 15-14. Great day for hitters to pad their stat lines while pitchers have to suffer.
AA:
Simon Whiteman SS- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .254.
Heliot Ramos CF- 2 for 5, HR(4). BA= .226.
Frankie Tostado 1B- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .295.
Brandon Martorano C- 2 for 5, HR(1). BA= .222.
Jason Heyward LF- 3 for 5, 2 2B, HR(7). BA= .231.
Sean Hjelle RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.11.
Hopefully this is a slump-breaker game for Heliot Ramos.
Low A:
Wil Jensen RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.81.
I said many times in March and April to anyone who would listen the Giants would be a fun story……but they would NOT win 80 games.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens from here, the Giants have played great baseball. The “old” guys - Crawford, Longoria and Posey - have been fantastic. Many young guys - Duggar, Wade and others - have stepped up. And Kapler has been fabulous at the helm. We need to give the very large and very young coaching staff a ton of credit, and the FZ chin has turned up many gems WITHOUT spending big money.
Glad I was so very wrong. The playoffs look realistic and nobody knows like Giants fans that once in the playoffs anything can happen.
Man, does the future look bright.